Car truck



April 18, T1939. J. A SHAFER CAR TRUCK Filed March 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ($6 M, A TTOR: EY

April 18, 1939. J A. sHAFER CAR TRUCK Filed March 22, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAR James A. Shafcr, East TRUCK Cleveland, Ohio, assignor Application March 22,

13 Claims.

This invention relates to railway car trucks and is concerned more particularly with the provision of novel and improved means enabling the utilization of leaf springs in a highly effective manner for supporting the bolster. My invention provides leaf spring means disposed longitudinally of the side frame and positioned within the confines thereof. An advantage of this arrangement is the obviating of the possibility of collision by the springs with obstacles along the track, as may occur in constructions wherein leaf springs are positioned transversely of the side frame and extend therebeyond. The invention also comprises novel means for supporting the leaf springs and maintaining the same in the desired relation to the bolster and side frame. A further feature of the invention resides in provision for the employment of leaf springs in a novel manner in a car truck such as disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 459,480, filed June 6, 1930, now Patent No. 1,973,664, granted Sept. 11, 1934; whereby there results a construction retaining the advantages of the truck aforesaid, and presenting the further advantage of the superior riding qualities incident to leaf springs, without any of the disadvantages attendant upon springs extending transversely beyond the car truck side frames. Other features and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and'claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of one side of a car truck embodying my invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-4 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail; and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, my invention is illustrated in connection with a car truck, a portion of one of the side frame members of which is shown at A, said side frame member comprising generally an upper or compression portion 1 and a lower box-shaped tension member 2. A window 3 for receiving an end of the bolster B is formed in the side frame. Between the portions I and 2 a horizontal shelf 4 is provided. The lower box portion 2 comprises side walls 211. and 2b and floor 2c, and merges at its opposite ends with the inclined tension elements indicated at C. The latter, as is well understood, merge at their further ends (not shown) with extensions of the compression member I. It will of course be understood that the car truck comprises a pair of side frames A cooperating with opposite end 5 portions of the bolster B, but for the purposes of 1932, Serial No. 600,398

my present invention, description of the cooperating portions of one end of the bolster and one of the side frames is sufficient.

The bolster is provided at each end with downwardly projecting lugs or dowels 5 which pass through openings 6 in the associated side frame shelf 4. Upon said shelf are positioned coil springs I, 8, received in cavities in the associated bolster end portion and acting to support the bolster. Through the dowels 5 at its opposite ends in cooperation with the openings in the shelves of the respective side frames, the bolster ties said side frames together. The construction thus far described is shown in my Patent No. 1,973,664, hereinbefore referred to.

In carrying out my present invention, I mount entirely within the tension portion of the side frame, and longitudinally thereof, a series of leaf spring elements 9. For supporting these elements I provide members [0, each of which has a bearing portion H for an end of the leaf spring unit and guide flanges l2 at opposite ends of said bearing portion. These members may be mounted in the bottom of the side frame tension portion in various ways, but in this connection I have shown each of said members provided on its underside with a boss or dowel l3 adapted to be received in a respective one of apair of openings M in the tension elements C. These openings have previously been provided to expedite disposal of any excess ice or snow that might collect in the tension portion of the side frame, but through the members ID the leaf spring unit is positioned at a sufficient elevation above the bottom of said tension portion to be free from interference by substantial quantities of snow or ice. Consequently, I have dispensed with the function for which these openings M were previously provided and utilize them instead for locat-- ing the leaf spring supporting members 10 in the side frame.

The leaf spring elements 9 are maintained in assembled relation by a housing l5, which may conveniently be shrunk upon said elements. Each end of the assembled leaf spring unit rests, as shown, upon a corresponding one of the supporting members l0.

Resting on one of the leaf spring elements and projecting through openings 16 in the housing 15 are plug members I I. These members extend into openings I8 in the respective bolster dowels 5. Provision is thereby made for limiting movement of the leaf spring unit.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided for the mounting of a leaf spring unit entirely within the confines of the side frame and for the positioning of said unit longitudinally in said frame. My invention further provides effectively for obtaining the advan tages inherent in leaf spring, 1. e., easy riding qualities and decreased tendency of the bolster to oscillate, while retaining the advantages and improved features of the car truck of my application above identified. The leaf spring assembly may be readily inserted into the tension portion of the side frame by passing it into one of the spaces between the tension and compression members, then downwardly into the ad- 'jacent channel-shaped tension member C, and thence into its position shown in Figure 1. The truck of my application aforesaid may be converted with marked facility into one embodying my present invention, since to this end it is merely necessary to remove the coil springs and cooperating plates, caps and studs shown in said application in the box-like tension portion below the bolster receiving opening, and to substitute therefor a leaf spring unit 8, the seat members l0, and the centering studs ll of the present application.

As hereinbefore noted, the utilization of leaf springs for supporting the bolster results in decreased tendency for the bolster to oscillate. In the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated, the parts are sodesigned that when the truck is assembled prior to receiving the weight of the car, clearance exists between the bolster dowels 5 and the leaf spring housing member l5. In the drawings the bolster dowels 5 are shown in engagement with the leaf spring unit, it being assumed that the weight of a car is applied to the bolster. I desire at the same time to point out that the parts may be so arranged that when the bolster is supporting an unloaded car clearance would exist between the aforesaid dowels and the member [5 of the leaf spring assembly, as a result of which the tendency of the bolster to oscillate to an undesirable degree would be still further diminished. Such clearance might be accomplished in various ways, as for instance by providing bolster lugs 5 of decreased length, or mounting the leaf spring unit at a slightly lower elevation in the side frame, or by employing coil springs 1, 8 of increased strength. In Figure 4 there is shown a modification of the invention wherein the bolster lugs or dowels I are shorter than the corresponding bolster lugs 5 of Figure 1, so that said lugs 5' are spaced from the leaf spring assembly 9 under the weight of a car not containing any load. In this form of the invention the leaf spring will not come into action until a sufficient load is placed on the car or until oscillations of sufllcient extent are set up to bring the bolster lugs 5' into contact with said leaf spring. By providing a slight clearance between the bolster lugs and the leaf spring, as above indicated,

when the car is empty, oscillations of the bolster upon the coil springs I, 0, will be eflectively broken up upon theengagement of the dowels 5' with the leaf spring unit. Of course, if desired, the parts could be so arranged that clearance, as aforesaid, would exist not only when the car is unloaded, but also when the car is loaded. The amount of clearance provided can vary in accordance with the dampening effect which it may be desired to attain.

On the other hand, when it is not desired to attain a dampening effect of the character above indicated the clearance aforesaid may be omitted and the parts arranged so that even though the car is empty the dowels 5 will barely engage the leaf spring unit, or will slightly compress the same.

' When clearance is present between the housing l5 and bolster dowels so that the weight of the car cannot be relied upon for preventing the members M from being impelled completely out of the openings H, the projections ll of said members It may be lengthened so as to enable said members to be maintained in these openings notwithstanding movement of said members in a direction away from said openings during the travel of the truck. It will be further apparent that the projections ll of said members l0 may be fitted into tight engagement with the openings M, or that said members l0 may be bolted or otherwise secured to the side frame, if desired.

Openings 2i in the bottom of the box-like tension member 2 provide for egress of water, dirt, or other foreign matter.

The springs are protected against over-solid blows by the engagement of the bottom of the bolster against the shelf 4.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame, leaf spring means on said side frame for supporting said bolster, members on said side frame supporting opposite ends of said leaf spring means, each of said members having a bearing portion for cooperating with the leaf spring means, and a projection received in an opening in said side frame.

2. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame, leaf spring means on said side frame for supporting said bolster, members on said side frame supporting opposite ends of said leaf spring means, each of said members having a bearing portion for cooperating with the leaf spring means, guide flanges on opposite sides of said bearing portion, and a projection received in an opening in the side frame.

3. In a car truck, the combination of tension and compression members, spaced integral connecting columns forming a window with said tension and compression members, said tension member having a spring housing disposed below said window, said housing having spaced seats on a portion thereof and within the same and being slotted for communication with said window, a leaf spring on said seats, said seats having means for limiting movement of the leaf spring with respect thereto, a load carrying member supported on coil springs in said window and provided with a member extending through the slot and in engagement with said leaf spring.

4. In a car truck, the combination of tension and compression members, spaced integral connecting columns forming a window with said tension and compression members, said tension member having a spring housing disposed below said window, said housing having spaced seats on a portion thereof and within the same and being slotted for communication with said window, a

'leaf spring on said seats, a member supported on said leaf spring, a load carrying member supported on resilient means in said window and provided with an element extending through the slot and in engagement with said leaf spring supported member, and a projection extending upwardly through an opening in the last mentioned member and into said element.

5. In a side frame, the combination of tension and compression members merging adjacent the ends thereof and provided with journal boxes, spaced columns integrally connecting said tension and compression members and forming a window, the tension member in said window forming a seat and having a slot therein, and a spring housing disposed below said seat, said housing being provided with spaced leaf spring seats on a portion thereof and within the same, each of said seats having leaf spring retaining means thereon.

6. In a side frame, the combination of journal boxes, a member connecting said journal boxes, said member having a seat portion, and a spring housing disposed adjacent said seat portion, said seat portion forming the roof of said housing, said housing being provided with spaced leaf spring seats on a portion thereof and within the same, each of said seats having leaf spring retaining means thereon.

7. In a car truck including a bolster and a side frame having a shelf, spring means on said shelf for supporting the bolster, and semi-elliptic leaf spring means below said shelf and extending longitudinally of the side frame for supporting the bolster, said leaf spring means being supported at the ends thereof on fixed seats on said side frame and within the vertical plane thereof, each of said seats having guide flanges overlapping said leaf spring means.

8. In a car truck including a bolster and a side frame having a shelf, spring means on said shelf for supporting the bolster, and leaf spring means below said shelf for supporting the bolster, said leaf spring means being located entirely within the confines of the side frame and extending longitudinally of the latter, said leaf spring means being supported at the ends thereof on fixed seats onsaid side frame and within the vertical plane thereof, each of said seats having means limiting movement of the leaf spring means with respect thereto in a given direction.

9. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a shelf and a tension portion below said shelf, leaf spring means extending longitudinally of the side frame and positioned within the side walls of said tension portion, a member supported on said leaf spring means, said member having a recess therein, means cooperating with said recessed member for supporting said bolster and limiting movement of said leaf spring means and comprising an extension of said bolster projecting through said shelf for engagement with said member, said leaf spring means being supported at the ends thereof on fixed seats on said side frame and within the vertical plane thereof.

10. In a car truck, the combination of a side frame having tension and compression members and spaced connecting struts disposed therebetween, said tension member having upper and lower members, a spring supported on said upper member, a load carrying member supported on said spring, and a spring of different form from said first named spring for supporting said load carrying member in parallel with said first named spring, said last named spring being seated on said lower member on spaced seats disposed thereon, said seats having means thereon for limiting movement of said last named spring with respect to said seats.

11. In' a railway vehicle, a side frame having tension and compression members, spaced integral columns connecting and forming a window with said tension and compression members, said tension member having a spring housing porand comprising a pair of projections from the latter extending through said apertured housing and adapted to engage said spring supported member.

12. In a car truck, the combination of tension and compression members, spaced integral connecting columns forming a window with said tension and compression members, said tension memher having a spring housing disposed below said window, said housing having spaced seats therein fixed with respect thereto, said housing being slotted for communication with said window, a leaf spring supported on the spaced seats, a member supported on said leaf spring, a load carrying member extending into said window, projections from said load carrying member extending through said slotted housing and adapted to engage said spring supported member, and an 'element having a portion received in an opening in said spring supported me and a portion extending upwardly t'herefro and into one of said projections for limiting m vement of said leaf spring.

13. In a side frame, the combination of journal boxes, a member connecting said join'nal boxes,

ing means thereon.

JAMES A. SHAFER. 

